ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1634, 28 December 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"GET-RICH-QUICK WALLINOTORD."

The exploits of Rufus J. /Wallingford and His friend "Blackio" Daw provided hilarious entertainment for another largo holiday audience at tli© Opera Housa last night. ' Mr. Med Niblo, as the inimitable ■\Yallingford, seems already to have established himself as a firm favourite with Wellington audiences, and his clever characterisation of the American . adventurer was heartily applauded. The ißece again went with vigour and swing from rise to fall- of the curtain, and all. the characters received the most cordial receiition from i the audience.' Mr. Harry Corson Clarkes "Blackie" made, an excellent ioil to the Wallingford of Mr. Niblo, and Mr. E. Perie Bush was a capital Eddie Lamb. Miss Beatrice' Holloway was sympathetic aild attractive as stenographer who wins the heart of Wallingford, .and Miss'Enid-Bennett made a charming Dorothy Welles. The play will be repeated nightly until further notice.

HIS-MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

' His Majesty's Theatre was. crowded for the second" time last evening, and the ! opening programme was again welcomed. Starting with charming: scenic films, giving some interesting' glimpses of Turkish life, tha first half of. the programme ends with an exhilarating farce all too soon.The second lalf of the programme presents "Sweet Nell of Old Drury, with Miss Nellie Stewart, the well-known Australian actress in the titlo role. lhe film, besides unfolding such a romantio story, is well photographed, and_can Jayclaim to great merit in the way of luxuriant settings. Many New Zealand playeoers havo seen Miss' Stewart acting m the play, and will no doubt the more appreciate the picture, as it_ Will recall vividly the actual play as they saw it. Tho next feature film' that Messrs. John Puller and Sons will, present is Queen Elizabeth," with Mme. Sarah Bernhardt as "Que§n Bess." „ , \

THEATRE ROYAL.

"The Eight Grotesques" monopolised- -part of the programme screened for tlie 'first time on Boxing Night at the Theatre Boyal. The Grotesques are and brilliaxit. ■ songs are bright and amusing, and above all well- sung. Francis CurTa °' monopede artist, was, perhaps the best item on the bill, and, although handicapped by the lack of a leg, he manages to be more active than most _p©oplo who •have the usual advantage. of two . legs. The juggler, Thornton, does several very clever -turns, and is able to satisfy his "house" that he is not ljfk™ g in skill. Of. the comedians, Ernest .wasen.thusiastically welcomed back ,tp_ the Weiiihgton. stage, and soon le-established himself as a; favourite. This programme ■will, be staged again to-mgnt. v

KING'S THEATRE.

The last night "of-; the current programme .at the King's, Theatre is announced. This, includes a superb film. "Falsely Accused," which is a story of heart interest, with Miss Asta Neilsen m tho chief role, and the charming fairy story, "Cinderella," in an .up-to-date setting. 1 This afternoon h. prize matinee will be given. - On Monday, another "Saharet" exclusive, "Behind the Mask, is to be screened. This is the story of a charming actress told in a. dramatic .photo-play. ,

THE NEW THEATRE.

There v.'oro ' excellent attendances throughout yesterday at the continuous pictures of the New Theatre., The most popular items were "The Apache Renegade," an exciting Kalem New -Mexican romance, and "Her Cowboy Lover, a Vita Western story. There are many ethers, which were .thoroughly appreciated. , lhe present bill will be shown for the-last time to-day and to-night. . The Circus Catastrophe" is to b©" introduced shortly.

SHORTTS' PICTURES.

The current programme of kinematograph pictures at Shortts' i| '•'starred"- by', a: dramntic study entitled"The Wheels of Destruction. The picture vividly denicts a sensational motorcar smash, and other stirring scenes. Ilie Bond of Music" (V'.tagraph Co.) and "Those Endearing Charms' (comic) ore amongst the list of the other films; This afternoon the. management will put on a number of pictures of special interest to children..

EMPRESS THEATRE,

The Empress' Theatre continuous , pictures. were again abundantly patronised throushout yesterday. "The Musketeers of Pig Alley," an exclusive A.B. dramatic study of slum, lite in New York city, is an original subject worked out with the A.B. Company's characteristic thoroughness. The American Civil, War a perennial source for the production of delightful romances combining adventure, and heroism, and the . A.P. exclusive drama "The Informer" is a film of that type, set amidst excellent local colour. The simple love, story of ,a. fishing village, "Against the Tide, v is pleasingly told, and presented in a convincing manner. The farce comedy "A Real Estate iJeal is very amusing. The. topical news of "The Warwick Chronicle' is up-to-date, and' interesting. .; The comic and scenic numbers aTe also meritorious, Ihe management wishes to direct attention to the special system of ventilation at the theatre. . The current programme will be repeated to-day and to-mght for the last time. \ % ■ V

'• PEOPLE'S PIGTUR-E PALACE. • . "For the King" (described as a startling historical drama) is the title of the piece de resistance on tlie current programme at th'e People's Picture Palace m Manners Street. This picture is well supported by "His First Auto" (comedy). The , Sleepers" (Lubin drama), and "Blackfoot.Halfbieed" (Western drama). Some special subjects for, the. benefit of children will be screened this afternoon. .

BARTON BROS.' CIRCUS. Bartons' circus was well patronised again' last evening and another excellent programme was submitted.- The Barton management appear; to have a full knowledge of the requirements of pleasuressekers, inasmuch as an already fine programme has had an addition by the introduction of another acrobatic • team, headed by Wallace Preslow, who hails fronl America's principal variety theatres; 'The new act is of a sensational character. Preslow, senior, is engaged in a display of physical .culture exercise, whilst his assistants are crawling, jumping, and leaping all ovsr him at times when, apparently, least anticipated and the result is a ; wonderful exhibition of whirlwind gymnastics. The other, artists in a lengthy programme were well received, and taken altogether the show is one well wortliy of the liberal patronago being bestowed upon it., There will be a matinee performance this afternoon at 2.30 when another holiday programme will bo presented. _ Special prices will prevail. Children will be admitted to. all paTts for sixpence. Another big change of programme is announced for to-night. 1

MADAME KIRKBY LUNN.

Madame Kirkby Lunn, who returns to Wellington to mako but two appearances on January 2 and i, is one of that small cluster of stars of the musical firmament that havo . become the-idols of the musical world, and of the famous group she is the most versatile. Melba, Destinn, and Tetrazzini are essentially operatic prima donnas, who grace the conoert platform during the . off season, but Madame Kirkby. Lunn has triumphed in four distinct branches of vooal art-opera, oratorio, conoert singing, and song recitals— and it is said that in the last-named she is probably at her best. It is in a song recital on January 2 that Wellington will be privileged to hear tho famous oontralto, and a great musical treat is in store for lovers of all that is good in musio. It is a very heavy evening for praoticnlly ono artist to carry tho Whole programme, as number after number is sung with, on this occasion, , only the-assistance of Mr. William Murdoch, that brilliant younjj solo pianist, who will present some of his finest numbers. For the final concert on Saturdjay, January 4, it is promised that the whole concert party will appear in a magnificent programme, which should appeal to the popular fancy. As this will be Madame Kirkby .Lunn's last appearance in Wellington, all music loveTS are advised to take tho opportunity of hearing this gifted singer. The box plan for both evenings is now on view at the Dresden, and although the plan only opened yesterday morning, d large number of seats aro stat,ed to have been resorvedi